Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-18 at 12:06 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-18 at 12:06

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-18 at 12:06

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 HEADLINESUN backs Gaza plan two-state stabilizing forceGaza water crisis deepens as desalination haltsJordan reintroduces compulsory military service 2026The time is now 7:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.This is the 7:00 a.m. update on regional and international affairs.The United Nations Security Council has endorsed a United States drafted resolution that backs the Gaza plan presented by President Donald Trump, endorses the deployment of an international stabilization force in the Palestinian territory, and calls for a pathway toward a political process that could lead to a two state solution. United Nations officials said the moment must be translated into concrete, on the ground steps, with a strong emphasis on expanding humanitarian aid to Gaza. Agencies warn that funding gaps could leave hundreds of thousands of people in need without essential support, and the plan envisions a governance framework that critics describe as transitional, with procedures to disarm armed groups and to facilitate reconstruction.Israel’s government reacted with cautious optimism, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly welcoming the vote and saying it could advance peace and prosperity with neighbors, while reaffirming that Israel will not accept a Palestinian state. Officials stressed that any future arrangements must ensure security and demilitarisation in Gaza, and they noted that opposition to a Palestinian state remains a cornerstone of Israeli policy.On the ground, fighting and ceasefire violations continue to shape daily life. The Israeli military reported that two Hamas militants crossed the Yellow Line and approached deployed forces in southern Gaza and were killed, a development described as a direct breach of the ceasefire. The army says it will act to remove any immediate threat and maintain security in the area.In the broader Middle East, Jordan announced it will reintroduce compulsory military service for men starting in 2026, with penalties of three months to a year for those who fail to report. The move is framed as a step to bolster national readiness, and it comes amid regional concerns about security and regional stability.In Gaza, a major water crisis deepened after the Abdul Salam Yassin Company, which runs desalination facilities for about half the enclave’s population, halted operations in protest of the detention of one of its staff by Hamas. The stoppage could affect more than a million people who rely on water deliveries, compounding a long history of damaged infrastructure and energy shortages in the territory.Diplomatic and strategic maneuvering remains intense around the Gaza question. Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky said he will travel to Turkey this week in an effort to restart negotiations on ending Russia’s invasion without Moscow’s direct participation, after a swing through Spain and France. Turkey hosts talks on the war and has been a venue for discussions in the past, but the Kremlin said Russia will not participate in the planned discussions in Istanbul, though President Vladimir Putin signaled openness to conversations with the United States and Turkey. A Turkish source indicated a United States special envoy would join the talks, underscoring the continuing international effort to mobilize a diplomatic track even as fighting continues elsewhere.In the Donetsk region, Ukrainian forces reported attacks against energy infrastructure, including two thermal power plants, which left large areas without power amid continuing Russian strikes and Ukrainian countermeasures. Russia said its air defenses repelled a number of Ukrainian drones across several regions, and Kyiv reported missile activity and drone incursions overnight. The broader war has shaped energy, security, and political calculations across Europe and beyond, including new layers of international diplomacy aimed at de-escalation and stabilization.East of Europe, Washington signaled a new diplomatic and energy policy direction, with reports that the United States intends to sign a civil nuclear cooperation framework with Saudi Arabia during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit. The move would mark a notable step in the civilian nuclear partnership between the two countries, set against a backdrop of shifting regional alignments and ongoing debates about governance and safeguards in the kingdom’s energy and security plans.On the security front, the broader regional fabric remains unsettled. Observers note a continued reliance on international engagement to manage the risk of renewed fighting and to stabilize humanitarian access. The humanitarian challenge in Gaza continues to test international coordination, with funding shortfalls threatening aid deliveries just as populations confront the consequences of years of conflict, blocked reconstruction, and periodic violence.In domestic political news, President Donald Trump has signaled plans to issue...
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